Maternal & Child Health Block Grant
Why the Program is Needed: Ensuring the health of the Nation’s mothers and children, including children with special health care needs, is a critical priority. Children with disabilities face particularly high health risks during the pre-natal period and during infancy. These include pre-mature births, low birth weight and spina bifida. For instance, fifty percent of children with cerebral palsy are born at low weight (less than 2,500 grams) [i].
What it Does: Provides state grants that are used to:
- Assure access to quality care, especially for those with low-incomes or limited availability of care;
- Reduce infant mortality;
- Provide and ensure access to comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care to women (especially low-income and at risk pregnant women);
- Increase the number of children receiving health assessments and follow-up diagnostic and treatment services;
- Provide and ensure access to preventive and child care services as well as rehabilitative services for certain children;
- Implement family-centered, community-based, systems of coordinated care for children with special healthcare needs; and
- Provide toll-free hotlines and assistance in applying for services to pregnant women with infants and children who are eligible for Title XIX (Medicaid).
Authorizing Legislation: The Social Security Act 1935 (42 U.S.C. 701-729a)
Recent Funding:
$639 million in 2012
$656 million in 2011
$651 million in 2010
$662 million in 2009
$659 million in 2008
$693 million in 2007
For More Information:
http://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs/titlevgrants/index.html